S&P 500, Nasdaq Rise Led by Chipmaker Stocks Amid US-Iran Tensions

The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones indices closed higher on July 9, with semiconductor and technology stocks leading the advance as investors looked past renewed US-Iran tensions. The Nasdaq, which is heavily weighted toward tech, rose 1.3% with the help of gains in artificial intelligence and chipmaker names.

The move was concentrated in the chip complex, where a rebound in semiconductor stocks offset broader geopolitical jitters and a pullback in oil prices. The advance fit the market's dominant AI-demand narrative, as investors continued to reward companies tied to memory, data-center, and AI-infrastructure spending. ORCL, PANW, and SBUX were among the widely watched names in focus as traders weighed sector momentum against the macro backdrop.

The gains held even as the US and Iran exchanged strikes, underscoring how firmly the AI and chip trade has anchored sentiment. Whether the rally extends will likely hinge on how the geopolitical situation evolves, the direction of oil prices, and the durability of leadership that remains concentrated in a narrow band of mega-cap tech and semiconductor stocks. A broadening of participation beyond that leadership would point to a healthier advance, while any escalation could quickly test risk appetite.

Related Stocks

• ORCL
• PANW
• SBUX
• WULF